The Future is Female

Recently a couple of unique artists released new records. Santigold dropped 99¢ on February 26th, while Thao and The Get Down Stay Down uncorked Man Alive March 4th. They have their obvious differences stylistically, yet seem unified in pushing their own sound through the airwaves. Even though these women slice up genres in the creation of their art, they both have a keen comprehension on the landscape of contemporary music. Which is probably why their work stands apart, already ahead of the wave, like it or not.

Santigold is eye-catching and seems to posses an ability to craft danceable tracks that still offer a purposeful message. Highlights on this album include the single, "Can't Get Enough of Myself" and the eerily upbeat island jam, "Chasing Shadows." She fuses heavy doses of hip hop and NYC edginess into her accessible worldly sound. Santigold has an ear on America and hopefully America listens. 99¢ goes deeper than the title suggests, case in point, "Big Boss Big Time Business."

Santigold | "Can't Get Enough of Myself"

Thao on the other hand has constructed an album that is undeniably personal, especially in her lyrics. I'm not sure if psyche-folk is the proper moniker, but it somehow fits. The Get Down sound has grown a bit on this record—the swell of an organ, bass lines full of reverb, strings and hand clapping, all bound cohesively to her word-smithing. Past and the present coexist on, "Astonished Man," as the arrangements illicit eastern melodies tangled against the snap of trap-like drumming. Other tracks I'm grooving on are the rocker, "Nobody Dies" and the lyrically piercing, "Millionaire." 

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down | "Nobody Dies"

You can catch both of these amazing women live in San Francisco. Santigold plays The Masonic on April 4th and Thao hits The Fillmore April 30th. Be there or be square. 

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My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket | Waterfall Tour 

My Morning Jacket is stampeding toward the Bay area, steadily gaining steam while on tour to support their latest album The Waterfall, which was recorded in Marin. San Francisco will play host for three nights, second only to the four night stand at the Beacon in NYC. They have garnered a fair amount of praise throughout this current tour. Their most recent stop at Red Rocks was available to watch via simulcast, a first for the band. It was said to be a lively set in line with the epic NYE Fillmore shows from 2006 as well as the late night throw down at Bonnaroo in 2008. All of this hype is just kindling to stoke the flames for their run at The Masonic (October 15-17). We'll be attending the Saturday night finale which should be a fiery blitz of soul laden rock and roll. Tickets are still available and a bit pricier compared to past tours. Maybe the bear will appear again as he did in '06. See you at the show.

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Jenny Lewis Shakes Down

Jenny Lewis and her bandmates have brought the Dead into their set. Last weekend, beginning in Massachusetts, Lewis busted out a "Shakedown Street." The four-piece band that backs her plays a very clean and technically sound version of the classic track. It seems to have found a home within their setlist, they performed it at their next two shows as well.  

It's worth mentioning that she and Ryan Adams have a show together next month in San Francisco at The Masonic (Dec.14th). It seems like the perfect storm for another "Shakedown"—the Bay is the home of the Grateful Dead and Ryan Adams is a Dead Head. Jenny also has a gig in Petaluma on December 12th at the Phoenix Theater. See you at the show.

Jenny Lewis | "Shakedown Street" | Live in Massachusetts



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